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Fractures of the hand and wrist may require fixation using a number of different techniques including plates, screws and wires.
Distal radius fixation may be required if the joint surface has been damaged, or the bone ends are significantly out of position. Surgery is performed through a cut on the wrist. The exact location may vary depending on the pattern of the fracture.
The bone ends are put back into position and secured with a combination of plates, screws and wires. A bone grafting procedure may be required if there is a gap in the bone after the ends have been re-aligned. Depending upon the fracture, this graft may need to be taken from the iliac crest of your pelvis, or it may be suitable for a commercially prepared bone graft substitute.
Following the surgery, your hand will be in a splint. Patients can generally go home on the same day of surgery or the following morning. You will then be referred to a hand therapist to help manage your rehabilitation.
Surgeons that perform Distal Radius Fixation
Scaphoid fixation is required if the broken ends of the scaphoid are not properly aligned, or if the blood supply to the scaphoid appears to have been damaged. Surgery is generally performed using a small cut over the fracture. The exact position of the cut depends upon the location of the fracture. The broken ends of the bone are realigned and secured with screws and, occasionally, a plate. If there is a gap in the bone after the ends have been re-aligned then a bone graft may also be required. This is usually the case if surgery is being performed to treat a case of scaphoid non-union. A bone graft is usually taken from either the iliac crest of the pelvis or from the end of the radius bone.
Fractures of the other bones in the hand that need surgery are repaired with a combination of plates, screws and wires. There may be associated ligament or tendon injuries that need to be repaired at the same time.
Surgeons that perform Scaphoid Fixation and Metacarpal and Phalangeal Fixation
After Hand and Wrist Fixation surgery, your hand will be in a splint. In general, patients are able to return home on the day of surgery or the next morning. You’ll then get a referral to a hand therapist to assist in managing your rehabilitation.
For more information on hand and wrist fracture fixation, we recommend contacting our surgeons for an initial consultation.
